George trayseb



'vintth gioire' aient @fitta (':irERGrE- TRYSER, OF -INDIANALPLI INDIANA.

LettersPatentNo. 66,653, dated July 9, 1867.

itin Stlphnlt nient to in tigen `rttafs lnient intl making part nf tienne.

To WHoM 1T MAY oononnn:

Be it known that l, GEORGE TRAYSER, of Indianapolis, Indiana, have invented certain new and useful?TV Improvements in Pianos; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionot` the same, reference being had to the drawings which-accompany this specification, forming part ofA the same, and to the letters of reference' marked thereon.

Figure l is a perspectiveview of my said improved piano.

Figure 2 is a bottom View of the same, 'showing the framorvork of the same.

Figure 8 is a view of the metallic frame ofthe piano with its bridges.

Figure 4 is a view of the bottom of the soundingboard of my piano.

Figure 5 is a top view ofthe same.

Like letters refer to like pu'rts of the improvement.

A I dy invention consists, first, in the peculiar construction of the bottom or Hoor, which consists in a lattice or net-Work framing', giving greater strength, land obvia-ting contraction and expansion from changes in temperature; second, in making the lsounding-boardA in an arched form at its broad end, and inthe form andmanner of attaching theribs securing and sustaining the arch; third, in providing the angular edge of the soundinglboard with a metallic stoy or brace, which is provided with a projection closely fitting and secured to thc said angular edge ofthe sounding-board, giving it greater strength and rigidity; fourth, in providing the soundingboard with a curved stay-bar traversing the central cross-section of the same; fifth, in constructing the metallic frame with` one or more ribs or braces across its length at or near its centre, to prevent its being warped or sprung by the tension of the strings; sixth, in providing the said metallic frame with recesses into which bridges of Wood or other' suitable material 'are inserted to 'receive the bearing of the strings, and in so arranging the lettings that those composing the upper and lower octavos are nearly at right angles with each other.

The eiect of the general arrangement and construction of the parts as described is .togive greater strength to the instrument and toequnlizo` the strain nponthe same, producing a fuller volume of sound of the highest and'purest quality, and of uniform strength in 'all the keys.`

In Pietel, iig. l, A A. represent the body of a piano of ordinary construction. B isho metallic frrime or bedplate;` C is the sounding-board, and D is the upper surface oif'the bed or bottom of the same.A a' a a .are bridges of n'ood er other suitable material fitted into recesses or cavities in the Ametallic frame B, upon which the strings z'i rest. H H aie longitudinal openings in the plate B to're'ccive the bridges H H, which are attached to the sounding-board C. l B is a central cross-brace or rib extending fromA back to front, and forming n. part of said plate B. 5

In Plate 2, iig 2, A A represent the body of the piano, in nihieh d d d d are longitudinal pieces of timber, and ce c c are similar pieces of timber suitably framed together, and which form a cross-sectional framing, constituting a series of chambers, F F F F, possessing 'reverberating qualities, the series of chambers being enclosed by the upper flooring D and the bottom flooring E.

In the drawing, Plate 2, iig. 2,-is shown a section of the framing with a portion of the bottom E removed.

i In Plate 3, fig. 3, is shown the metallic bed-platol3. It will be seen that the bridges a a a. receive the bearings of the strings upon their upper surfaces, while the bridged is inverted, the recess of the plate B being so con structed as toreeeive the bridge from the under side, and the pressure of the strings being from underneath, as is shown at z". The strings 1f in the lower octave, and the string in the upper octave, it will be seen, are nearly at right angles with each other, which arrangement scrve's to counteract the strain of each upon the frame.

In Plate 4, iig. 4, is shown the lower surface of the soundingboard C. The ribs or staysnz 1t 1i n 1t are first formed rounded or convex upon their upper edges, and the sonndingdionrd when properl)r formed is laid upon 'a smooth surface, and the ribs n n n'itli their convex sides or edges are placed upon the surface of the sounding` board, and -sullicicntvpower applied to the ends of each to spring or bend them to a horizontal plane, when they ure each and every one, to any number which maybe necessary, securely nttaohedto the soundugboard, and

upon the relaxation of the pressure the ribs assume their original position, and by this resumption compel an arched or convex form of the sounding-board, giving to it the character and quality of u violin. vThe angular' and unsupported edge ofthe sounding-boardis provided with metallic plate G, receiving and strengthening the sume, and producing 'u senroua :md continuous vibration of the cordsvcry nearly equnl to the best grnndpiuuos. Radinting from the :tngulzir braceG, and traversing the central sccticncrosswisc of the sunding-boad C, is n 'circuler stay-bruce, G', serving the purpose of strength and consistency. to the sounding-bond :tt that portion of its' formation Whore it is most requisite. .This steyfbrztce G may be attached to` (ar-independent ofthe angular brace Gr. I I

Fig 4, Plate 4, shows the obverse iside ofthe angular brnceG. A v 4 Inflato 5, fig. 5, is n perspective View of the upper or convex side of the.sonnding-bonrd with the bridge H 1TH, nnd'sbowing the top or lapping edge of the angular bruce G. 'lho lng g'is intended as n support for the screws c1l other fustenings'which securc the curved brace G to the sounding-board.

.Having thus fully described my invention, whnt I elum as new, und desire to secure by LettcrsPntent, is.- 1. The lattice frnmework e c c end d .Z d, composing tbe reverbernting chainbcrs F F F, in combination with the top easing vD and bottom casing E, substantially as set forth. l

2. The manner of producing a convex sounding-board by Ineens of the curved surfnccs o f the ribs 11V un, us and for the purpose described. I v

3. The bcd-plnte B, when constructed with recesses to receive wooden bridges a; :ind n suspended bridge, avl. ond with n. central cross-brace, B', seid ports being arrnnged in relation to eztcb other und the other parts of the bed-plate, subsbnntinlly as set forth. I A

4. The angular brace Gn'cureil brace G', combined with ecch other, and nttcched to u convex soundingboard, constructed and applied es und for the purposes set forth.

. GEO.` TRAYSER. Witnesses:

PAUL Tnnrsun, WM. T. DENNIS. 

